PA3: Woodland management plan

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the woodland management plan item.

• From: Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
• Published: 2 April 2015
• Last updated: 11 December 2024 — See all updates

• Grant type: Capital item
• Land use: Priority habitats, Uplands and Woodland
• Tiers or standalone items: Standalone capital items
• Funding (per unit per year): More than £500

You must read the Apply for a PA3: Woodland management plan grant 2024 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply for this capital item.

How much you’ll be paid

Threshold payments for eligible land:

• 0.5 hectares (ha) to 50ha: flat rate of £1,500
• 51ha to 100ha: flat rate of £1,500 for the first 50ha, plus £30 for each additional hectare up to and including 100ha
• more than 100ha: flat rate of £3,000, plus £15 for each additional hectare over 100ha

The amount you’ll be paid is calculated on the entire eligible area of woodland on the holding.

This calculation can include up to 20% of newly planted woodland. Newly planted woodland is woodland under 10 years old when you apply.

Areas of newly planted woodland over 20% will be deducted from the total area for payment but you must include it in your management plan.

How this item benefits the environment

A woodland management plan helps:

• develop and communicate objectives and work proposals for the woodland
• demonstrate how a woodland area will be managed sustainably and monitored

Where you can use this item

You can only use this item on woodland.

You can apply for capital item PA3 to create a new woodland management plan if you have a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) agreement for WD2: Woodland improvement with an existing woodland management plan which is due to expire.

This is to make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for woodland improvement.

You cannot use this item on woodland:

• less than 0.5ha in total
• where there’s already a Forestry Commission approved management plan and only minor changes are needed to meet the current UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)

What you must do to use this item

You must:

• produce a detailed 10-year management plan using the Forestry Commission’s full woodland management plan template that complies with UKFS
• make sure the plan covers all woodland on the holding or for larger holdings, all woodland within the same geographical location

The requirements for this item will be adapted to the site and your objectives. You should discuss and agree these requirements with your adviser.

Evidence you must keep

You must keep and provide on request:

• consents or permissions connected with the work
• receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is not available
• your Forestry Commission woodland management plan approval letter

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 11 December 2024 + show all updates

1. 5 December 2024

   A flat rate payment of £1,500 is available for eligible land between 0.5 hectares and 50 hectares. Woodland that's less than 0.5 hectares in total is not eligible for PA3: Woodland management plan.

2. 7 February 2022

   'Further information' section updated

3. 31 March 2016

   Information updated for applications in 2016.

4. 2 April 2015

   First published.